Written by Shanai Besst
Image by Ralph Kayden
A battered surfboard hung in the corner of her room. Untouched for months, it was
finally the day to move it, to say goodbye.
The girl was wet suited up. Ready for her last ride.
It was a short car journey to the beach. The girl anxiously looked out the window as
they got closer to the destination.
Others in the car started talking the girl heard nothing. The others couldn’t see her,
she seemed alone in the back, attached to the board.
Car doors slammed shut as the people started to gather their boards and wetsuits.
The beach was busy full of people walking with purpose towards the water.
The girl stood silently the board was on the floor next to her. Someone picked up the
board and followed the crowd, the girl moved closely behind.
Then, they all started weeding out into the water. The girl quickly pulled herself up
onto the board as it was moved forwards away from the beach.
With each passing wave pool became lighter. The girl looked at the large crowd
surrounding her. They all paddled forwards further and further away from the beach. Still, no one noticed her patiently moving with them.
Eventually, everyone came to stop, and the head of the group said a few words and
spread the ashes in the sea.
The girl closed her eyes and sighed. She looked around and felt at peace.
Then the girl slid off the surfboard and sank into the water.
The group turned in motion back towards the beach without the girl.
With each stroke growing closer to their vehicles, the girl started to fade as she
watched their figures grow smaller.
Loading up their equipment the crowd dispersed off the beach and drove away from
the water.
They weren’t saying goodbye to the board, they were saying goodbye to the girl they
once knew.
The girl was gone. Her spirit at peace.
It was her last ride.
About the Author: Shanai Besst
I am 22 and have an undergraduate degree in Creative Writing. I am currently studying for my Master’s in the same course, and aspire to be a travel writer or go into publishing after university!
I really enjoy travelling, and had a gap year before uni to go around parts of Asia, Australia and New Zealand, hoping to see more after my Master’s!
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